Second Time In Two Months Ukraine Didn’t Support United States At UN. So Much For Loyalty- And Nearing US$100 Billion In Taxpayer Funds. Potential Consequences In United States Congress?
Second Time In Two Months That Ukraine Does Not Support United States At The United Nations. So Much For Loyalty- And Nearing US$100 Billion In Taxpayer Funds. Potential Consequences In United States Congress?
On 3 November 2022, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted 185-2 to condemn United States commercial, economic, and political policies, regulations, and statutes relating to the Republic of Cuba. This was the thirtieth year the resolution was approved.
The government of the United States and the government of the State of Israel voted against the resolution. The government of Brazil and the government of Ukraine abstained.
In October 2022, with its decision to abstain during a vote by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which focused upon human rights and genocide within the People’s Republic of China, the government of Ukraine showed that is transactional about issues focusing upon the behavior of one person towards another- or in this instance the behavior of one government towards one group of people. The proposed resolution to which the government of Ukraine abstained was proposed by its largest by far benefactor- the government of the United States whose taxpayers are borrowing what will soon total US$100 billion to provide funds for Ukraine.
The government of Ukraine complains about the commercial, economic, military, and political relationship between the Russian Federation and People’s Republic of China, and then at the United Nations supports Beijing and opposes the government of the United States.
In October 2022, was Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, recognizing “facts on the ground”? Believing the government of the People’s Republic of China has not (yet) robustly supported the government of the Russian Federation in mitigating the impact of sanctions imposed upon the government of the Russian Federation and the government of Ukraine needs that position to remain in place? If so, criticising the government of the Republic of Turkiye and government of Republic of India for their continuing engagement with the government of the Russian Federation is further challenging for the government of Ukraine and a bit easier to justify for the Republic of Turkiye and Republic of India, as well as, for other countries.
The Government of Ukraine has consistently since 2014 condemned, criticized, deplored, and excoriated those governments- countries and nations, who have responded to the decisions of the government of the Russian Federation relating to Ukraine in a calibrated manner or in a manner disagreeable to the government of Ukraine due to their commercial, economic, military, and political relationships with the Russian Federation.
The Government of Ukraine has consistently articulated a singular message: The Russian Federation must abandon all territory of Ukraine- out of the Crimean Peninsula, out of Luhansk, out of Donetsk, out of Kherson, out of every square meter of Ukraine. Period. Few disagree.
Yet, there exist nuances within that message…. If a government is or can be of assistance to the greater goals of the government of Ukraine, then some territorial transgressions and human rights issues may be overlooked, parsed as to relevance, ignored if that serves the greater good, goal, purpose. This is disappointing, but not unexpected. Governments sometimes believe they need to accept a decision that is unpleasant, but believed necessary in pursuit of a goal more important.
The government of Ukraine should not be surprised if the Republican Party wins majorities in the United States House or Representatives and/or the United States Senate, that the 3 November 2022 vote in the UNGA relating to the Republic of Cuba will be referenced as a question by members of the Democratic Party, Independent Parties, and Republican Party: “Is Ukraine a friend worth supporting when it punts in votes at the United Nations (UN) on two issues of importance to the Biden-Harris Administration- and Republican Party.”
John Kelley
Political Counselor
New York, New York
3 November 2022
Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you members of the General Assembly. The United States remains committed to the Cuban people in their pursuit of freedom, prosperity, and a future with greater dignity. We are focused on the political and economic wellbeing of the Cuban people and center our efforts on democracy and human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Cubans of all walks of life are speaking out for fundamental freedoms, protesting Cuban government repression, and advocating for a better future. In July of 2021, the world witnessed tens of thousands of Cubans across the island take to the streets to peacefully demand freedom. The Cuban government responded to the demands of the Cuban people with crackdowns on peaceful protesters, journalists, and human rights defenders. The Cuban government has used harsh prison sentences, even against minors, intimidation tactics, arrests, Internet interruptions, government-sponsored mobs, and horrendous prison conditions to try to prevent Cubans from exercising their human rights. Cuban security officials have also forced into exile human rights activists and journalists who had been either detained or warned about their activities. We join international partners in urging the Cuban government to release political prisoners immediately and unconditionally and to protect the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly of all individuals in Cuba.
As we hold the Cuban government accountable, our support for the Cuban people is unwavering. The embargo includes exemptions and authorizations relating to exports of food, medicine, and other humanitarian goods to Cuba. We recognize the challenges the Cuban people face. The people of the United States and U.S. organizations donate a significant amount of humanitarian goods to the Cuban people, and the United States is one of Cuba’s principal trading partners. Since 1992, the United States has authorized billions of dollars of exports to Cuba, including food and other agricultural commodities, medicines, medical devices, telecommunications equipment, consumer goods, and other items to support the Cuban people. In 2021 alone, U.S. companies exported over $295 million worth of agricultural goods to Cuba, including food, to help address the Cuban people’s basic needs. Last month, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian, the United States announced it is providing to the Cuban people critical humanitarian aid through trusted international partners working directly with Cubans whose communities were devastated by the storm. The U.S. Agency for International Development will provide $2 million in funding for emergency relief to those in need in Cuba. Mr. President, the United States opposes this resolution, but we stand with the Cuban people and will continue to seek ways to provide meaningful support to them. We encourage this body to urge the Cuban government to listen to the Cuban people and their demands to determine their own future. Thank you.
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